Breather Valve Assemblies

ABSTRACT

Breather valve assemblies featuring resilient, deformable members that buckle when a pressure-moveable member is actuated by pressure, such as when a sealed container is exposed to changes in atmospheric pressure. One way and two way breather valves allow air flow in either one or two desired directions according to resilient, deformable member and pressure movable member of each respective direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The embodiments described herein relate to improved one-way and two-way breather valve assemblies especially useful in venting containers and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

Breather valves, also known as pressure relief valves, prevent excessive pressure or vacuum buildup in sealed containers, which reduces container weight, cube, and cost. A variety of breather valves have been developed over the years, including valves that keep dust, water, and blowing sand from entering containers.

In some applications, the pressure or vacuum differential versus flow rate profile of a breather valve can be a critical factor in whether a sealed container will deform (or even explode). In other words, if a breather valve cannot expel or intake air fast enough, damage to the container and contents can result.

In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to create breather valve assemblies with improved flow rate characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to improved breather valve assemblies that feature a resilient, deformable member coupled between a stationary member and a pressure-moveable member such that pressure on the moveable member buckles the deformable member. The result of these improved designs is that flow rates can be increased.

In one aspect, embodiments pertain to one-way breather valves having a valve housing enclosing a hollow interior portion and containing a stationary member coupled with and disposed proximally to a first end of the housing and configured such that it provides an opening to the atmosphere. The hollow interior further includes a pressure-movable member disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a second end of the housing and a resilient, deformable member coupled between the stationary member and the pressure-moveable member.

Preferably, the deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to the stationary and pressure-moveable members such that the deformable member bends toward an interior sidewall of the valve housing upon movement by the pressure-moveable member. Such a design has been found to improve flow rate characteristics over previous designs.

In another aspect, embodiments pertain to two-way breather valves featuring an outer valve housing having a hollow interior portion containing a first member having an opening and disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a top outer circumference of the housing, a second member disposed above the first member and coupled with the housing, and a resilient, deformable member coupled to the first and second members. The resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to the first and second members such that it bends radially (buckles) upon movement by the first member. Furthermore, there is an inner valve housing disposed coaxially within the outer valve housing, with the inner valve housing having a hollow interior portion containing a third member disposed below the first member and in sealing arrangement with the first member, and a fourth member coupled with and disposed proximally to the bottom of the inner housing, with the forth member having an opening. A second resilient, deformable member is coupled to the third and fourth members such that it is substantially centrally disposed in relation to the third and fourth members and therefore bends toward a sidewall of the inner valve housing upon movement by the third member.

Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, this invention includes the features hereinafter fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such description discloses only some of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts in a cut-away view a one-way breather valve embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a two-way breather valve embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cut-away view of the valve in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates the valve of FIG. 3 in a closed position.

FIG. 5 shows the valve of FIG. 3 in an open (vacuum direction) position.

FIG. 6 shows the valve of FIG. 3 in an open (pressure direction) position.

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of the flow rate characteristics of the “New” valve in FIG. 1 versus a prior design (“Standard”) utilizing a compression-only resilient member to provide pressure venting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIG. 1, a one-way breather valve 2 is shown that includes a valve housing 4 enclosing a hollow interior portion 6 that contains a stationary member 8 coupled with and disposed proximally to a first end 10 of the housing and configured to provide an opening 12 to the atmosphere. A pressure-movable member 14 is disposed in sealing arrangement (for example, by virtue of having sealing ring 16) proximally to a second end 18 of the housing 4, and a resilient, deformable member 20 is coupled between the stationary member 8 and the pressure-moveable member 14.

The resilient, deformable member 20 is substantially centrally disposed in relation to the stationary and pressure-moveable members such that it bends toward an interior sidewall 22 of valve housing 4 upon movement by the pressure-moveable member 14.

As shown in this one preferred embodiment, the valve housing 4 is cylindrical and contains a threaded portion 24 along the hollow interior portion 6. Thus, the stationary member 8 can threadedly engage the threaded portion 24, thereby making stationary member adjustable such that a tension on the resilient, deformable member 20 is adjustable.

Preferably, the valve housing and stationary/movable members are made of plastic. However, any suitable material may be used. Moreover, preferably the resilient, deformable member is a spring.

Turning to FIG. 2, a two-way embodiment for a breather valve 30 having a top 32 and a bottom 34 is shown. As seen in FIGS. 3-6, the valve 30 includes an outer valve housing 38 having a hollow interior portion 40 containing a first member 42 having an opening 44 and disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a top outer circumference of said housing, a second member 46 disposed above the first member and coupled with the housing 38, and a resilient, deformable member 50 coupled to the first and second members.

The resilient, deformable member 50 is substantially centrally disposed in relation to the first and second members such that it bends radially (buckles) upon movement by the first member, thereby moving sealing ring 60 to an unsealed or open position when pressure is coming from inside a container to the exterior of the valve as in FIG. 6.

Also included in this embodiment is an inner valve housing 54 disposed coaxially within the outer valve housing 38, with inner valve housing having a hollow interior portion 56 containing a third member 58 disposed below the first member 42 and in sealing arrangement with said first member (for example, through sealing ring 52). A fourth member 62 is coupled with and disposed proximally to the bottom 66 of the inner housing, with the fourth member having an opening 68, and a second resilient, deformable member 70 coupled to the third and fourth members such that it is substantially centrally disposed in relation to the third and fourth members and bends toward a sidewall 72 of the inner valve housing upon movement by the third member.

Thus, when both directions of this two-way valve embodiment are in a closed position, the valve is as shown in FIG. 4. However, when the valve is caused to be open in the vacuum direction (FIG. 5) such that pressure (e.g. air 90) enters from an exterior of the valve, deformable member 70 buckles towards sidewall 72 and thereby unseals sealing ring 52 of pressure moveable member 58. The position of deformable, resilient member 70 adjusts with air 90 until it returns member 58 to a closed position when exterior and interior pressure are approximately at equilibrium.

Conversely, when the valve is caused to be open in the pressure direction (FIG. 6) such that pressure (e.g. air 96) exits from an exterior of the valve, deformable member 50 buckles towards a sidewall and thereby unseals sealing ring 60 of pressure moveable member 42. The position of deformable, resilient member 50 also adjusts with air 96 until it returns member 42 to a closed position when exterior and interior pressure are approximately at equilibrium.

As shown in FIG. 7, the new and inventive breather valve has improved flow dynamics such that large changes in pressure can be accommodated in relatively small amounts of time.

Various changes in the details and components that have been described may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention herein described in the specification and defined in the appended claims. Therefore, while the present invention has been shown and described herein in what is believed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures can be made there from within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent processes and products. All references cited in this application are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A breather valve, comprising: a valve housing enclosing a hollow interior portion containing a stationary member coupled with and disposed proximally to a first end of said housing and configured to provide an opening to an atmosphere; a pressure-movable member disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a second end of said housing; and a resilient, deformable member coupled between said stationary member and said pressure-moveable member; wherein said resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to said stationary and pressure-moveable members such that said resilient, deformable member bends toward an interior sidewall of said valve housing upon movement by said pressure-moveable member.
 2. The valve of claim 1, wherein said valve housing is cylindrical and contains a threaded portion along said hollow interior portion.
 3. The valve of claim 2, where said stationary member threadedly engages said threaded portion.
 4. The valve of claim 1, wherein said stationary member is adjustable such that a tension on said resilient, deformable member is adjustable.
 5. The valve of claim 1, wherein said resilient, deformable member is a spring.
 6. A breather valve, comprising: a valve housing enclosing a hollow interior portion containing a stationary member coupled with and disposed proximally to a top of said housing and configured to provide an opening to an atmosphere; a pressure-movable member disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a bottom of said housing; and a resilient, deformable member coupled to said stationary member and said pressure-moveable member; wherein said resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to said stationary and pressure-moveable members such that said resilient, deformable member bends toward a sidewall of said valve housing upon movement by said pressure-moveable member.
 7. The valve of claim 6, wherein said valve housing is cylindrical and contains a threaded portion along said hollow interior portion.
 8. The valve of claim 7, where said stationary member is threadedly engages said threaded portion.
 9. The valve of claim 6, wherein said stationary member is adjustable such that a tension on said resilient, deformable member is adjustable.
 10. The valve of claim 6, wherein said resilient, deformable member is a spring.
 11. A breather valve, comprising: a valve housing enclosing a hollow interior portion containing a first member disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a top of said housing; a second member disposed above said first member and attached to said housing; and a resilient, deformable member coupled to said first and second members, wherein said resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to said first and second members such that said resilient, deformable member bends radially upon movement by said first member.
 12. The valve of claim 11, wherein said valve housing is cylindrical and contains a threaded portion along said hollow interior portion.
 13. The valve of claim 12, where said stationary member is threadedly engages said threaded portion.
 14. The valve of claim 11, wherein said stationary member is adjustable such that a tension on said resilient, deformable member is adjustable.
 15. The valve of claim 11, wherein said resilient, deformable member is a spring.
 16. A breather valve, comprising: a outer valve housing having a hollow interior portion containing a first member having an opening and disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a top outer circumference of said housing; a second member disposed above said first member and coupled with said housing; a resilient, deformable member coupled to said first and second members, wherein said resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to said first and second members such that said resilient, deformable member bends radially upon movement by said first member; an inner valve housing disposed coaxially within said outer valve housing, said inner valve housing having a hollow interior portion containing a third member disposed below said first member and in sealing arrangement with said first member; a fourth member coupled with and disposed proximally to a bottom of said inner housing, said forth member having an opening; and a second resilient, deformable member coupled to said third and fourth members, wherein said second resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to said third and fourth members such that said second resilient, deformable member bends toward a sidewall of said inner valve housing upon movement by said third member.
 17. The valve of claim 16, wherein said valve housing is cylindrical and contains a threaded portion along said hollow interior portion.
 18. The valve of claim 17, where said stationary member is threadedly engages said threaded portion.
 19. The valve of claim 16, wherein said stationary member is adjustable such that a tension on said resilient, deformable member is adjustable.
 20. The valve of claim 16, wherein said resilient, deformable member is a spring. 